April 12th

On Friday, the new packets went in the mail for this week.  In case you didn't see the letter from me, I am posting a copy below:

 I wanted to let you know of some changes starting next week.  

1.  Each week classrooms will be holding two class meetings.  Our class will use Zoom for these meetings. On Monday, our class meeting will be from 10:00 to 10:30, followed by a short literacy lesson (from 10:30 to 10:45).  On Friday, our class meeting will be from 10:00 to 10:20, followed by a literacy lesson (from 10:20 to 10:30). Teachers have been asked to take attendance during these meetings.  If for some reason a student cannot attend, I will check in individually with a phone call about the lesson covered. The focus of the class meetings will be social and emotional learning.  They will be similar to a morning meeting and will include greetings, sharing, news, etc. These meetings will be for my homeroom students (grades 5 and 6).
2. On Tuesdays, I will hold a similar class meeting for 5th graders only.  This will include students from Mr. Willard’s classroom.  This meeting also starts at 10:00 and will go until 10:40.  During that time, we will begin with a 20 minute class meeting and then have a 20 minute math lesson.  I would also like to try a second live math lesson on Thursdays from 10:00 - 10:20. Again, I will be taking attendance at these meetings and will touch base with anyone who is unable to attend.
3. Additionally, I will be holding office hours twice a week for students to check in with me live if they have questions.  The first session will be on Tuesdays from 10:45 to 11:15. The second session will be on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 2:00.  Each day, I will send an invite to all of my students (homeroom and grade 5 from Willard’s class) by email. These sessions are not required, but are there if students have questions.  As we have done in the past few weeks, students may also email me at any time.
4. We will now have a EMES Remote Learning Resource site.  This will include a glimpse at the big ideas for each week, a schedule of meetings, a recap of daily expectations, etc.  It is our hopes that having one site for families to find information, will make things easier. It is my understanding that this site will go live on this Sunday evening.
5. Students have been doing a great job posting their work and I am hoping that from this point on, most work will be done online. Beginning Monday, April 13th, I will be posting all assignments on Google Classroom.   If working online doesn’t work for your child, please let me know. Thanks to all of the parents that have sent scanned work, photos through email, etc. of hard copy assignments.
6. I’m sure there will be more changes, but these are the main ones at this time.  I want to thank all families for being flexible, providing feedback, and doing such a great job working through this challenging time.  I hope you and your family stay healthy.

April 6, 2020

Good Morning,

I am writing to give you some updates for this week.  First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work in these challenging times.  This transition to distance learning has not been easy for anyone.  I want you to know how much I appreciate the feedback and work that everyone has put into making this a smooth transition.

As you saw in the recent letter from our superintendent, Debra Taylor, this week teachers will be getting ready to implement continuity of learning plans which will start for everyone on April 13th.  In the letter from Debra Taylor, she outlined that "students will be expected to find time to read and move their bodies every day! They should also continue to work through the packets and online learning materials that have been previously provided and be ready to start new learning on Monday, April 13th." 

I want to add to her comments that this is a week for students to finish anything that they haven't been able to at this time.  Students should continue to read each day.  Although I will not be giving a new assignment, I would love to receive an email from any student that would like to keep me posted on their independent reading.  I just heard on the news that the next couple of days are going to be beautiful - warm and sunny.  I would echo superintendent Taylor's statement that students should get outside and move their bodies.

To keep you informed on what teachers will be doing this week, today (Monday), we will be working individually to identify Performance Indicators that we have and have not addressed this year.  Teachers have been asked to consider which PIs are the most important to address during the final quarter of the school year.  Teachers have also been asked to check in with students, something that I will try to do today.

On Tuesday, WCUUSD teachers will meet through Zoom in grade or content-level teams to share the work from today and develop common agreements about which PIs will be taught and assessed at each grade level for the rest of this school year, and those that will be tabled until next fall. This work is necessary to ensure common expectations across the district. I will not likely be able to make my Tuesday phone calls as I will be in meetings planning and preparing with colleagues.

The remainder of this week will be spent developing a schedule, preparing lessons and materials that support the teaching of the identified PIs.  I would like to have this schedule posted and communicated with families by Friday.  I hope you and your family enjoy the beautiful weather and stay healthy.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Ellen

March 31, 2020

Don't forget, our homeroom class (5/6) will be meeting this Wednesday on Zoom at 9:30.  Our fifth grade class will try meeting for the first time Wednesday at 11:00.

Arlyn has asked me to share this with 5/6 families -

Dear EMES 5th and 6th Graders and Families,

We are starting Virtual Read Alouds with 6th graders this week and plan to start with 5th graders next week.  For now we will meet one day a week via the Video Conferencing application Zoom.

We have many students and families who are already signed up to participate, but I wanted to reach out again in case you all missed my earlier messages.

6th Graders will meet on Fridays at 11 am.  We will each have a chance to share and connect with classmates.  Then I will read from one of next year's VT Middle Grade Book Award nominees.  The book is Charlie Thorne & the Last Equation by Stuart Gibbs.  We may also have occasional guest readers.

If you are a 6th grader and have not responded, but would like to join, please email abruccoli@u32.org

For 5th graders:  I sent a survey out on Monday morning about this read aloud opportunity.  Our day and time are still to be determined (based on the survey results).  The book we will be reading is Klawde:  Evil Alien Warlord Cat by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth.  If you are a 5th grader and would like to join, please respond to this survey listed below.

Thank you and please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

-Arlyn

https://forms.gle/HnA33no2KSNPf7q46

Monday, March 30th

We are about to enter our second full week of long distance learning.  I can't believe the changes that have taken place in the past couple of weeks.   Our next packets will be mailed on Monday, March 30th.  I am trying to put most of the work for my homeroom class on our Google Classroom this week. If this is a problem for you and you cannot access it, please let me know. 

As I look ahead, I am realizing that I am excited to be thinking about setting some new routines.  One of these routines I would like to establish is regular Zoom meetings to begin workshops and instruction through these sessions.  Last week, I tried our first Zoom meeting with my homeroom class.  Eleven students participated and it was so great to see them.  This week, I would like to try a session with my homeroom class on Wednesday morning at 9:30.  We will use this meeting as a check in on the packets for this week and to answer questions.  I am hoping to see more of my homeroom students join us this week. 

I would like to try our first Zoom meeting with my afternoon fifth graders at 11:00 on Wednesday.  I will send you an invite through email.  Hope to see you there!

It is my hopes that by early next week (the week of April 7th), I can have a schedule for the week of Zoom meetings.  I hope to include meetings for literacy, including read aloud.  I also hope to have afternoon meetings for math and theme.  As I told my students in our first Zoom session, I am excited to be living in a time when technology makes this all possible!  Hope you have a wonderful day.

Zoom Meeting Today

Today's Zoom meeting at 1:00 will be for my morning (homeroom) class.  If it is successful, I will try a meeting with my 5th graders next week. 

March 26

I cannot believe that our first full week at home is almost over.  I know that I said I would post each day, but did not realize how many hours I would be on emails and phone calls this week.  From the families that I have been able to connect with, it sounds like most students have transitioned into a routine at home.  I know that a couple of students have asked about work they have submitted and I am hoping that tomorrow I can spend some time looking at work.  Tomorrow will also be spent at school preparing for next week’s assignments.  It is my understanding that Monday the packets will be prepared for mailing this time.  When I spoke with Mrs. Parker this morning, she said that I should notify you that depending on when they arrive at the Post Office, you might not get the work until Wednesday. 

Over the past few days, I have had an opportunity to touch base with many of you.  There are still as few families that I have not been able to connect with, but I will keep trying.  Looking ahead, I am thinking of setting a schedule on Zoom to try and meet on specific subjects, participate in a mini lesson together and discussion.  To try this out, I am planning to do a Zoom meeting for our class tomorrow at 1:00.  Students will get an email asking them to join, and all they need to do is follow the link to join the meeting.  (That is, if I set it up correctly.  I am new to all of this too!) I am hoping to have our meeting go for 30 – 45 minutes and students can join at any time after receiving the invite by email.  I look forward to seeing many students there.  Please be sure to have your child check their email for my invite! 

March 24th

It is hard to believe that we have only been working on distance learning for four days.  I have not had as much time as I would like to review or comment on any work you have been doing, but that is a priority fo me after today.  

This morning, I start to make my weekly calls to all students.  I want to check in, make sure all is going well, and answer any questions.  Over the weekend, I set up both the morning class and the afternoon fifth graders in an online ReadWorks classroom.  I will be checking in with everyone today to see if they can access it from home.  ReadWorks has many reading passages, both fiction and nonfiction.  If students can access this, I will begin assigning work next week.

Yesterday, I spent the day at school getting packets ready to go home.   If they were not picked up, they should be delivered today by the bus.  This week’s work includes something for PE  and a list of online Art resources/opportunities.  Right now, it is my understanding that packets for next week will be mailed.  Of course, this could change.  I will keep you updated through this blog.

It looks like many students have been able to complete work online.  If you prefer to write by hand or can’t access work online, don't worry.   I will read and comment on your work when we are back at school.

I hope everyone is staying healthy.  I look forward to talking with you later today.

March 20th

Good Morning Families,

I want to thank all of you that responded so quickly on preferences for when phone calls should be made to your child next week.  Today, I work on communicating with the nine staff members that are my 2^nd or 3^rd calls to let them know when they should touch base with your child.  Then I will start planning assignments for next week.

Several of you have responded that you would prefer picking up assignments if that is possible.  I have learned that administration is discussing this today and as soon as I get more information, I will pass it on.  For anyone that specifically asked this question yesterday, I will send an email.  I will also post what I hear on this blog.  If you did not ask, but would like an email sent to you, just let me know.

I want to say that I am so proud of all of my students.  The many emails with thoughtful questions and concerns about their assignments have been great.  Please let them know that I will try to respond to each one in a timely manner.   

On Wednesday, we learned about a couple of ways that we could have a video call with our students.  Later next week, I would like to try this out.  If you would prefer that not happen, please send me an email.

Arlyn has asked that I share some information from the library.  Below is a message from her.  Have a wonderful day!

Dear EMES K-6th Grade Families,

Please check out the homepage of the EMES Library Website for information on

Free Audiobooks, Book Clubs, Read Alouds, and Arlyn's Remote Red Clover Reading Group.

During these challenging times, many organizations are working to provide reading resources for students. I am also exploring ways to hold virtual reading groups.  More on that will come, so please check the EMES Library Site for updates.

The site is linked under classrooms from the EMES website or here is the direct link

https://sites.google.com/u32.org/emeslibrarytechnology/home  

Take care,

Arlyn

January 24, 2020

These past  three weeks have been quite busy.  In literacy class we have focused on theme.  Students have learned that the theme is the “big idea” of a text and usually isn’t written out in words.  They have learned that you look for clues in the text and make inferences to determine the message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story.  In addition to identifying the theme, students are learning to support their opinion with evidence from the text.

We have reflected on our December reading goals and adjusted these for the month of January.   Transferable Skill 6.c. states that students can set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely (SMART) goals and monitor progress.    To be proficient, students need to use self-assessment and feedback to modify goals or formulate new goals.  We will regularly reflect and adjust these goals for the remainder of the year.

We are also working on Japanese lantern poems.  These poems are similar in format to a haiku.  They have five lines and use a syllable structure. 

In fifth grade math we have been working with decimals.  Reading, writing, comparing, adding and subtracting decimals to the thousandths have been specific skills that we have been working on.  This week, we started reviewing multiplying larger whole numbers as a prerequisite for multiplying decimals.  We will also be working on rounding decimals.

In science class, we have been working on an informational piece of writing about a topic of interest that is connected to Vermont forests.  Topics range from the moose and white tail deer to the fox.  In addition to research skills and informational writing, students are exploring how to use a variety of features in Google docs.

Our current Social Studies focus is on rural Vermont in the early 1900s.  We are currently reading, A Little Girl’s Diary:  Life on a Farm in Rural Vermont.  This book is reproduction of a diary of a young girl from Strafford, Vermont.   It is a daily diary for a full year on what it was like to be a young child on a farm in a small Vermont town.  This week, we have been working on making diaries that are similar in size and students will begin recording daily entries on their life.  We will also begin a project in technology where we compare/contrast a topic, looking at what life was like in the early 1900s compared to today.  Students have selected topics such as occupations, travel, chores, electricity, sugaring, and more. 

I am attaching a message for families of band students about changes in the band schedule, as well as a message from David Powelson.

New 5/6 Band Schedule (For the remainder of Mrs. Mishkin's leave):

Monday:    5th band 11:00 - 11:40;       6th band 11:40 - 12:20

Thursday  6th band 11:00 - 11:40;       5th band 11:40 - 12:20

EMES Band Students and Families,

I am one of the music teachers at U-32, and I am so pleased to be spending some time teaching band classes at EMES while Ms. Mishkin is on her leave. In a previous job, I taught students in 5th and 6th grades as well as older students. I have missed working with elementary age students, and I am looking forward to this time!

I have tremendous respect for Ms. Mishkin and her work. She has given me a general outline of musical selections and skills to teach, and it is my goal that she will be able to pick up smoothly when she returns.

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or concerns during the next months. You can reach me directly by email (dpowelson@u32.org) or by my U-32 phone (802-229-0321, ext 3047). 

It is my intent to maintain Ms. Mishkin's EMES band policies and procedures, and I have a few of my own expectations to highlight at this time. 

First, each student needs their instrument and all band materials for every band class. I would appreciate it if adults could support their children in developing a system to remember these items.

Second, each student must practice. We have only two short classes each week. I can teach new skills, but each student must take the time to reinforce their learning. Brains can learn quickly, but bodies often take more time. Music is a "whole self" learning experience. As a general guideline, I expect that elementary aged students will practice for 20 minutes a time, 5 days a week.

Third, each student must show up to class ready to enjoy themselves. Music is fun. It's also hard, valuable, and important. We are going to work hard, but we are also going to have a good time and leave class with smiles on our faces. 

I am looking forward to our time together. Please reach out if you have questions or concerns!

Thanks,

David Powelson